THE return of rains after the four days of hot conditions should improve catches especially on the rivers.

Last Wednesday evening the Bury Societies Junior section fished the Cookes Trophy on the Island Lodge with a good response from juniors. The venue produced a well balanced match in which everyone caught fish, mainly perch and skimmers. Ian Gough taking top weight 2-4-12, in second place Blake Bebbington 1-15-12 and third Mat Heys 1-14-4, which included a fine specimen roach 1-1-0, fourth Ashley Hill 1-9-8, fifth Gaz Eccles 1-2-0, sixth Jonathan Bullough 0-12-8, seventh Daniel Hignett and Stephen Batty 0-10-8.

The Thursday National Team Open also took place on the same venue. Daz Shaw taking top weight 5-9-8, in second place Paul Robinson 5-7-12, and third D. Stock 4-6-8.

On Sunday Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire was the venue for the Bury Societies July Cup fished by twenty anglers. The previous week this popular venue had been saved from a major pollution, when 19000 litres of milk from an overturned tanker was discharged into a feeder steam which feeds the venue. Only around the clock efforts of the Environment Agency, Fire Service and Staffordshire Council and Severn Trent Water was a disaster averted. Milk has a devastating effect on aquatic environment, stripping the water of oxygen. By damming with sandbags the affected brook, the firecrews pumped the affected water onto nearby fields.

The match fished in excellent weather conditions, produced the excellent bream weights expected, but in patchy pockets. Top weight fell to Dave Chadwick 27-2-12. In second place Roy Gough 20-11-8 and third Chris Chadwick 13-1-0.

Section winners: Steve Lomax 7-3-4 and R. Holt 7-1-0.

The Aquafest Angling Competition took place on the newly restored Ashton Canal in Manchester, was a precursor to the Commonweath Games taking place in the city.

With a prize pot of £5000 on offer, 135 anglers participated. The venue being stocked with 7000 fish prior to the event, by Environment Agency.

John Ross (Ashton) took bream to 2lb plus roach for top weight 12-10-8, to take top prize £2000, in second place Andy Hampson (Hirst Tackle) 6-15-0 and £800 prize, third place Graham Flesher (Bradford) 6-4-4, fourth place Stefan Gent (Fishermans Way) 4-13-8.

ROYAL HOTEL

SEA ANGLERS

The next trip is to Deganwy to fish aboard Lady Gwen ll this Sunday, August 4.

BURY & DISTRICT

SEA ANGLERS

The next trip is on Saturday, August 3 from Port Dinorwic for a 12 hour wrecking trip aboard Morgan James.

BURY SOCIETY

JUNIOR SECTION

The fourth match in the summer series for the Gill Trophy takes place on Wednesday, August 7, draw 6pm, fish 6.30 to 9pm on the Island Lodge.

BURY SOCIETY

SENIOR SECTION

The Bury Hospice Charity match takes place on the Island Lodge and Cartwheel this coming Sunday, August 4, draw 9am, fishing 10am to 3pm.

Ian Cookes up a real good catch!